Which New Jersey Beach?

[Bonnie40]

We're from Ontario and have traveled a number of times to the Jersey shore. We are thinking about going again this summer and I was hoping that maybe someone on here would have a suggestion for a good area to try. The last time we were there we went to North Wildwood and really enjoyed it. It's just for a few days as we'll be fitting it in around visiting with family in Pa. Any information would be really appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Princess Dot]

We really enjoy Wildwood Crest and Cape May (just south of where you were), as well as Stone Harbor which is a little north of where you stayed.

Cape May especially is very pretty, but you may have seen these areas already on your last trip. Other than that, we have never stayed at any other of the shore beaches. Have fun!!

 

[Tiggeroo]

Well of course I'm partial to Ocean City. There is alot to do in OC and you have the boardwalk. Even if you stay in Ocean City you might want to do a day trip to Cape May for the shops or a night trip to Wildwood if your kids like the bigger rides or daytime in Wildwood for the bigger water pier. Ocean City has a much more family like atmosphere then Wildwood.

 

[Kallison]

Stone Harbor is the only Jersey shore town for us. It's close enough to drive to the boardwalk if you must visit. Although my kids were about 10 before they heard about the boardwalk from their friends. Stone Harbor pizza on the right as you cross the bridge is the BEST.

 

[Saffron]

We love Wildwood Crest. We especially love the Lampliter Oceanside Resort (Inn). It's right on the huge, beautiful beach, has a great swimming pool, a great jacuzzi that is oceanside, extremely clean, huge rooms and the owners are great people! We just absolutely love it there. It's quiet and romantic, yet if we feel like jumping out of the way of the tram car or losing some money to a carnival type game and eating great soft serve ice cream, Wildwood and the boardwalk is just a few minutes drive away.

There are lots of beautiful places along the Jersey Shore, but I just can't break away from Wildwood Crest and the Lampliter.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Wildwood or Cape May. Cape may is so pretty and it has a free zoo that's really nice and Wildwood is close by too.

 

[treesinger]

Ocean City fan here! If you have young kids, they will love Wonderland at the north side of the boardwalk. And Johnson's caramel corn (get it right out of the hot kettle!) is dynamite!

 

[ShuisFan584]

Stone Harbor/Avalon is my absolute favorite! They're both really small, Avalon is about 80 blocks long and Stone Harbor is about 40. They're more family oriented, as Wildwood is more of a party type place, where you find more high schoolers and college kids. Stone Harbor and Avalon both have really nice houses and places to stay and it's pretty quiet. If you want to go to the boardwalk, Wildwood is just right over the bridge.

 

[buzzlady]

Cape May or Wildwood is nice. If your looking for something exciting to do, there is a great speedboat ride out of Wildwood called Silver Bullet. My DSs love this boat. My youngest was only 4 when he went for the 1st time. You will also get to see dolphins during the trip.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Seaside Heights, Wildwood and Asbury Park. All have great boardwalks and you never know when you might catch a Bruce sighting in and around Asbury.

Man, this thread is making me nostalgic and wanting to visit the Shore.

 

[mmausse]

Spring Lake is the best beach. Quiet, peaceful, great lifeguards. Wide boardwalks. I was born there and lived there for 15 years. It IS a great beach.

 

[danacara]

Cape May is awesome, and if you want to head further north in NJ, many of us love Point Pleasant/Manasquan.

 

[Ranatra]

Another Ocean City Fan here. I Love the atmosphere and the boardwalk. We always take a Day trip to Cape May while we're there. It's beautiful!

 

[antbritt]

I love Cape May. It is a beautiful beach and a very quaint town. I also go to Wildwood every year. Used to go to North Wildwood But I go to Wildwood Crest now. I think wildwood has pretty much everything you could be looking for. Beautiful beaches ( The Beach at Wildwood is Free also) I have never been to the Cape MAy COunty Zoo But I have heard it is nice. If you want alittle excitement Wildwood Has Boardwork with Many attractions.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Another vote for Point Pleasant/Manasquan. Less crowded than others mentioned here, and very nice! We use to spend the summers at Manasquan, before they remodeled all the beach-front homes and it didn't cost a small fortune to be there. Now it is pricey (but no pricier than other NJ beaches), but the houses are much nicer!

 

[kdibattista]

Sea Isle is our family favorite (although we prefer the higher blocks.... around 80th street)

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

As you can see from the responses, NJ has alot of great beaches!! My favorite is Ocean City. I have a 6yr DD and a 4yr DS. Ocean City is perfect for the family with younger children. It is a much more subdued environment. (Not as many teens) Kids love the rides on the boardwalk and the beaches are great.

If you do have teens, I would choose Wildwood or Seaside, both have boardwalks for night entertainment and nice beaches.

Have a great time!

Wishing everyone a "magical" day!

 

[jx3smom]

Of course I am partial to Ocean City as I am a life time resident. Wildwood is a little crazy for me but worth a day trip for the water parks. Cape May is also very beautiful.

 

[Robmom]

I've been to Wildwood many times and love it. I went to Ocean City once and loved it as well, but my heart still stays with Wildwood. I guess it brings back childhood memories or something. I haven't been there in a few years, but I'm going this summer! I can't afford to go to WDW this year , but I'll have fun in Wildwood.

 

[JerseyJanice]

We are huge fans of Wildwood. Big beautiful free beaches, lots of restaurants, many choices of places to stay. Love the place and have since I was a child.

If you're a big group, I'd suggest contacting a real estate agency on-line to inquire about a condo rental.

When we go down there this summer, we'll be staying at the Surf 16 in North Wildwood. We used to stay in Wildwood Crest all the time, but the Surf 16 is a decent place that takes pets.

We went there last year with our puppy and all of us (him too) had the time of our lives. He's not a puppy anymore, but we're still sure he'll enjoy himself. Lots of other dogs there and he is very social.